NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – A youth pastor was arraigned today on charges of sexually assaulting five boys under 16 years old at church events. Brandon Ernis Lee McDade, 30, Mission Viejo, is charged with two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child between the ages of 14 and 15, two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance, and sentencing enhancement allegations for committing lewd acts upon multiple victims. If convicted, McDade faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. McDade is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Feb. 5, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-7, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.

At the time of the crimes, McDade was employed as a youth pastor at Grace Hills Church in Aliso Viejo and had access to children.

Between June 2009, and Dec. 20, 2015, McDade is accused of meeting the victims, all under the age of 16, while they were in his care at the church. McDade is accused of sexually assaulting the victims while the victims were on church property. The defendant is accused of molesting one of the victims at a movie theater in Orange County and molesting another victim while the victim was attending a youth church camp in San Bernardino County.

A parent of one of the victims contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and reported the crime. OCSD investigated this case. The defendant was arrested by OCSD deputies Dec. 9, 2015, and released on $20,000 bond. Further investigation resulted in one additional victim coming forward.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Carroll of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.